Photography is a key element of your wedding day. For that reason, it is important to budget for a quality wedding photographer. This also means taking the time to identify a few details about your wedding. From there, you should make sure that you have photography as a line item within the total budget of your wedding.
How Long Do You Need the Photographer?
Some weddings last longer than others. You might have a wedding that involves multiple venues. This would mean you need to allow enough time for you, your guests, and your wedding photographer time to travel to them. If you have a ceremony at two and your reception at six, you could easily need a photographer for eight hours or more.
In other instances, you might only need a photographer for a few hours because of having your ceremony and reception in one location. This is especially common if it's a destination wedding or a second wedding that isn't as formal.
There is no right or wrong when it comes to the length of your wedding. However, the time you need will determine the cost of your wedding photographer. The more time you need, the more it will cost you. The good news is that when you have a photographer for more time, you will also have more amazing wedding photos.
What Do You Want in the Photography Package?
There are packages offered by most wedding photographers. You have to decide what you want. Such things include:
- Number of hours
- Multiple locations
- Edited images
- Online album
The more you want, the more you need to be ready to pay. However, there are some really great packages offered. You want to make sure that you get a good price for all that you want. To ensure this happens, it's a good idea to compare photographers. It will allow you to see what the total cost will be for all of the services that you want.
You might be able to get the cost of your photographer lowered, too. This would involve adding a DJ and videographer into the total package. It would ensure you get the coverage you need while saving money on your wedding.
Add the Photography Line in Your Total Wedding Budget
The cost of a wedding is going to be different for everyone. You need to itemize all of the details of your wedding so that you don't go over budget. This includes I'm going to find the cost for the reception, the wedding dress, and every other detail. The cost of your wedding photographer he should be roughly 10% of your entire budget. After all, you will be able to keep the cake, the food, or anything else. You will be able to keep the photos, however.
As you price everything out for your wedding, your photography has to be part of the equation. Otherwise, you spend your money on everything else and end up with no photographer. This is why it's often helpful to work with an entertainment company that will help you with multiple details.
Planning a wedding often involves some negotiation and compromise, too. For example, if you want a better photographer than what your budget allows, you might need to look at other areas of your budget where you can get lower prices.
In the end, you only get one wedding. You can only have your wedding photographed one time. The wedding photographer should be booked as soon as you know when your wedding date is and you have your venue booked. Contact Direct Entertainment to find out what your options are.